Cannabis

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On Wednesday, July 14, 2021, Senators Schumer (NY), Booker (NJ), and Wyden (OR) introduced the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act (“CAOA”), a draft bill for the decriminalization and regulation of cannabis at the federal level.  The CAOA represents a comprehensive change to the federal government’s approach to cannabis, embracing state legalization and permitting shipping of…

After a special legislative session, the Connecticut Senate passed An Act Concerning Responsible and Equitable Regulation of Adult-Use Cannabis on June 17, 2021, following the Connecticut House’s passage of the bill on June 16, 2021.  Governor Ned Lamont has indicated that he intends to sign the bill into law.  The law was previously passed by…

House Judiciary Chair Jerry Nadler reintroduced the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment & Expungement Act (the “MORE Act”) on Friday, May 28, 2021.  The MORE Act seeks to remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act, expunge certain cannabis-related criminal records at the federal level, and create social equity programs via a federal sales tax on cannabis products. …

New Mexico Governor Grisham signed the Cannabis Regulation Act, legalizing adult-use cannabis on Monday, April 12, 2021.  The law legalizes possession of up to two ounces of cannabis by those 21 and over, and requires the newly-created Cannabis Control Division to release regulations by January 1, 2022, with the goal of having legal sales in…

On April 7, 2021, Virginia legalized adult-use cannabis, allowing adults 21 and over to possess up to an ounce of cannabis beginning July 1, 2021.  Individuals will also be permitted to cultivate plants for personal use beginning on July 1, 2021.  Previously, the State Senate and House of Delegates reached a compromise between their two…

On Saturday, March 27, 2021, a bill was introduced which reflected a compromise between the New York State Legislature and Governor Cuomo.  The bill, an amended form of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (also known as the MRTA), contains the following provisions:

  • Legalization of possession of up to three ounces of cannabis by adults

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Senator Bob Menendez introduced the Clarifying Law Around Insurance of Marijuana Act (the “CLAIM Act”) on Thursday, March 18, 2021.  The bill is co-sponsored by Senators Jeff Merkley and Rand Paul, and will be introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Nydia Velázquez.

The CLAIM Act would forbid federal agencies from discouraging insurers…

A bipartisan coalition of representatives reintroduced The Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act (“SAFE Banking Act”) on Thursday, March 18, 2021.  The SAFE Banking Act was previously passed by the House of Representatives in 2019, and twice in 2020, but never received a vote in the Senate.

The SAFE Banking Act would remove federal restrictions…

An adult-use cannabis bill was announced February 24, 2021 by State Senators Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia) and Dan Laughlin (R-Erie).  The bill would legalize possession of up to 30 grams for those 21 and over, while limiting at-home cultivation to medicinal use.  Noting New Jersey’s recent legalization, and New York’s intention to legalize adult-use cannabis this…